President Donald Trump has a strong ally holding a key position in the House as U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., has been supporting him from his perch as chairman of the House Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee.
Yoho, who also is the vice chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, cheered the Trump administration for imposing sanctions on Chinese banks and investors backing the North Korean regime.
“The North Korean regime and all who do business with it must realize that the United States will be held accountable,” Yoho said. “For too long this vile regime has evaded international sanctions and UN Security Council resolutions with the help from others. The actions by the U.S. Treasury Department were appropriate, necessary, and have my full support. I applaud the administration for its decision to crack down on Chinese financial institutions that continue to provide a financial lifeline to Pyongyang.”
Yoho called for more sanctions on North Korea and urged the Senate to back U.S. Rep. Ed Royce's, R-Calif., “Korean Interdiction and Modernization of Sanctions (KIMs)” Act.
“The Kim regime uses this money to fund its nuclear and ballistic missile program. Also, they use it for weapons used by terrorists we are trying to defeat,” Yoho said. “We must use every means necessary to choke off North Korea’s ability to threaten the region and the world. The House recently passed the KIMs Act, which gives the administration, even more, tools to accomplish this, but the Senate must act.”
Yoho also backed the White House’s decision to resume arm sales with Taiwan, including a $1.4 billion package which includes torpedoes, missiles and radar systems.
“I commend in the strongest terms the president’s decision to resume U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, a long overdue step that reaffirms the United States’ commitment to Taiwan,” Yoho said last week after the White House’s announcement. “In 1979 the United States committed itself to maintaining cultural, economic, and security ties with Taiwan when the Taiwan Relations Act became law. The act requires the executive branch to make available to Taiwan sufficient self-defense capabilities, but successive administrations have needlessly delayed arms sales, undermining the United States’ long-standing commitment and the security of Taiwan. I hope that this administration continues to uphold the mandate of the Taiwan Relations Act through the regular and consistent sale of arms to Taiwan.”
Yoho also said he was planning to continue to focus on aiding Taiwan.
“I will also be introducing an amendment to the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act that will hold future administrations accountable when it comes to regular arms sales to Taiwan by enhancing congressional oversight,” Yoho said. “Also, I believe that this administration should seek out every opportunity to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan ties with a Bilateral Trade Agreement, as it would serve as a mechanism that would promote peace and stability throughout the Asia-Pacific region.”
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